London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

CBI scandal: Chancellor declares there is 'no point' engaging with lobby group

CBI scandal: Chancellor declares there is 'no point' engaging with lobby group

Jeremy Hunt says it is important for the government to engage with a body that is representative of the business community, as commentators speculate the CBI will not survive its misconduct crisis.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says there is "no point" in talking to the CBI while the lobby group is dealing with allegations that have brought its future into doubt.

Speaking at the Business Connect conference attended by the prime minister, an event arranged by Downing Street to address the business community, Mr Hunt said the government would continue to engage with business with or without the CBI.

His comments come after scores of high-profile companies announced they were suspending or ending their membership of the 58-year-old lobby group following allegations of sexual misconduct and rape by some members of staff.

"There's no point in engaging with the CBI when their own members have deserted them in droves, so we want to engage with a body that speaks for business," Mr Hunt said.

"It's incredibly important for me when I am constructing budgets to have someone I can turn to that speaks for British business because we are a very, very pro-business government.

"It's not for us to say how that happens because this needs to be an independent body.

"We are obviously very concerned about the allegations of what's happened at the CBI - they are very, very serious.

"We would like to engage with business through a representative body when we can, but we're not stopping, that's why we have 60% of FTSE chief executives here today. We're perfectly capable of engaging with business and we will continue to."

The CBI has been the primary point of contact for the government with the business community for decades, a role that is now in doubt.

Representing around 190,000 companies, the CBI was central to negotiations with ministers and unions to establish the furlough scheme at the outbreak of the pandemic.

It has also been a thorn in the side for ministries however, articulating the broad opposition to Brexit among companies during the referendum campaign, a position that prompted Boris Johnson to notoriously declare "f*** business".

Rishi Sunak's presence at the Business Connect event, at which he took questions from company bosses, was an attempt to convince employers that his government is pro-business after months of political and economic instability.

Mr Hunt said he and the PM are committed to delivering what business needs.

"You have a chancellor and a prime minister who are both from a private sector background, it is in our DNA," he said.

"I would say that what businesses say is that it is actions not words that really matter and we are very, very committed to that because as Conservatives we don't think governments create wealth; businesses do that."

He added: "It is not for us to decide who business wants to engage with but we are not going to wait for a reincarnation of the CBI or whoever, we want to engage the whole time, every week, every day, with business."
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×